His effort had been valiant indeed. And appreciated in fact. She had much preferred that he'd made her work for it. If he'd fallen into her arms, well she might have actually been disappointed.

But this was far from disappointing.

She debated taking it slow to avoid possibly intimidating him. But then, they both knew why she'd come, as she'd made no bones about it. So she figured to hell with taking it easy. She broke their kiss for a moment so she could brace on his shoulders and pull herself up slightly, so she could wrap her legs around his hips.

Now with his hips snugly between her thighs, and her face now at his level, she smiled with satisfaction. "Better." And then she was kissing him again, this time a little more demanding.